The Honorable Luis R. Sepulveda

Assembly District 87

1973 Westchester Avenue

Bronx, NY 10462

Dear New York State Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda:

As a Senior resident of the Parkchester community, I am writing to urge you to take action, toward an increase of Senior Greenmarket food coupons, and agencies that provide food pantries. It is to my understanding that you are on the New York State Committee for the Aging, and Agriculture; so you have the jurisdiction to act upon the request to increase Senior Greenmarket food coupons, and agencies that provide food pantries.

Several emails were sent on the following dates: August 27, 2013, September 26, 2013, and October 15, 2013 from Mrs. Deborah M. Oguamah to Jazmine Lopez, former Executive Assistant to New York State Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, to increase Senior Greenmarket food coupons, and no steps have been taken. The emails sent also mention that Parkchester Senior’s organizations like R.A.I.N., Inc. receives around 102, monthly, and P.E.P is given close to 100 yearly Greenmarket food coupons.

According, to the Center for Urban Future, the shift of New Yorkers population are getting older. Almost half of the city’s older adults, many face limited English proficiency, documented, and undocumented immigrants will be challenge with accessing entitlements. Our community must acknowledge, and pay attention to the rapidly diverse, and vulnerable senior population with additional health care cost. Compare to the other New York City boroughs, The Bronx have the highest poverty rate (35.5%), which include those who receive fewer benefits, and resources to maintain or qualify for programs like Social Security, and Medicare not to mention food stamps. Most important, the U.S. census bureau report also indicate “the number of city residents 65, and older will increase to 1.3 million in 2030. Therefore, it is safe to say our senior population in the Parkchester area will also continue to increase.

Both agencies the U.S. Census, and Center for Urban Future have confirmed an increase of New York City’s Senior population. Therefore, Parkchester, and surrounding areas need to be proactive with adjustments in Greenmarket food coupons and food pantries as the second largest Senior population in the Bronx, New York. For this reason, our district must acknowledge the practical reason to allocate an increase of 40% or more Greenmarket food coupons, and agencies that provide food pantries. Above all, it is not acceptable that our tax dollars are being utilize by your office as the New York State Assemblyman to be set up as a food pantry. There are several agencies like churches, shelters, and senior centers that are equip to better serve the community as a soup kitchen, and food pantry, etc. We need your office as our New York State Assemblyman to advocate for an increase of Senior Greenmarket food coupons, and to increase our district food pantries.

There are several sources that you have not considered:

USDA Agricultural Marketing Service USDA Food and Nutrition Service

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

New York State Department of Health

New York State Department Supplemental Nutrition

New York State Farmers Market Nutrition Program

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) * Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program

Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) Health Bucks Greenmarket

New York State Department of Health New York State Department of the Aging - ATT: MARLON GUERRERO

The City has kept their promise by providing funding for all SNAP recipients through the health bucks program. New York State also provide various programs that you must consider which can increase Parkcehster Senior Greenmarket food coupons, and agencies food pantries.

Thank you for your continued service to the people of the Parkchester area, I hope that you continue to keep our best interest in mind as you take into account this high priority issue.

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,